Letter: Davidson, A “heavy dose of sentimentalism”

When GCLD Board member Mary Chance read that line from her letter at the July board meeting, it dripped with smugness and sarcasm. It’s true that in past meetings, many of the library patrons were emotional describing what the community library has meant to them-how it had impacted their lives. I would describe this as passion. Grand County library users are passionate about their libraries, and it should not be mocked. That passion is what voted to create a library district. That passion is what supports various library fundraisers. That passion is what volunteers in our libraries. That passion is what keeps our libraries vital!! I would think, as a library board member, that passion would be coveted-not scoffed. Ms. Chance and I do agree on one thing-the libraries cannot continue the way they are. But, it is imperative to understand that our library district can, absolutely, support all five branches. It comes down to priorities. Will the Board support community based libraries or more software? Will they emphasize service to ALL communities by keeping libraries open or will they hire more employees? Will they respond and listen to the taxpayers who support our library district, or will they continue down their narrow minded path to completely destroy the foundation upon which this district was formed-a library with five operating branches. The ‘values’ the library board developed states, “Convenient, universal and ever-improving access to quality information resources for all of the communities we serve, knowledgeable and responsive customer service, careful stewardship of the fiscal, physical, and information resources for which we have been given responsibility.” Is our current library board following this belief? Closing a library should be a last resort to rectify money issues-not the first. Remember, it is OUR library district-not just theirs.

Kerry Davidson

Hot Sulphur Springs

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